Apparatus and method for character input

Abstract

An apparatus for character input is disclosed. The apparatus includes a keypad and a processing unit. The keypad comprises a plurality of combo keys. Each combo key includes a main contact and at least one sub-contact adjacent to the main contact, the main contact and the sub-contact respectively have at least one icon representing a character. The processing unit receives a press operation on the keypad and inputting a corresponding character. The keypad of the apparatus is compact in size while character input on the keypad is conveniently.

1 . An apparatus for character inputs, the apparatus comprising: 
 a keypad comprising a plurality of combo keys, wherein each combo key comprises a main contact and at least one sub-contact adjacent to the main contact, the main contact and the sub-contact respectively have at least one icon representing a character; and    a processing unit for receiving a press operation on the keypad and inputting a corresponding character.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein some of the main contacts have a first icon and a second icon, the first icon represents a number, and the second icon represents a letter.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the fist icon has a larger size than that of the second icon.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the main contact represents a letter in a letter mode.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the main contact represents a number in a number mode.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a display for showing the character inputted.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each combo key comprises two sub-contacts.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the two sub-contacts are apart from each other.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the two sub-contacts are connected each other and further enclose the main contact of the combo key.  
   
   
       10 . A method for character inputs in an electronic apparatus, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a keypad, wherein the keypad comprises a plurality of combo keys, each combo key includes a main contact and at least one sub-contact adjacent to the main contact, the main contact and the sub-contact respectively have at least one icon representing a character;    depressing a combo key;    inputting a corresponding character.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein some of the main contacts have a first icon and a second icon, the first icon represents a number, and the second icon represents a letter.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fist icon has a larger size than that of the second icon.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a letter mode, wherein the main contact represents a letter.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a number mode, wherein the main contact represents a number.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a function key;    if the function key is depressed, shift the input mode.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each combo key comprises two sub-contacts.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the two sub-contacts are apart from each other.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the two sub-contacts are connected each other and further enclose the main contact of the combo key.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a display;    showing the character inputted on the display.